Web splicing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for splicing the leading end of a rotating replacement roll to the moving web of an expiring supply roll of sheet material including a main tab member adhesively attached to the underlying layer of said replacement roll and having spaced portions adhesively attached to the leading end; and, a reinforcing tab adhesively attached to the leading end substantially between the spaced portions whereby, upon the application of adhesive and upon the adhesive engagement of the leading end with the moving web, the leading end is torn away from attachment with the main tab member.

ilie States Patent [191 Underwood WEB SPLICING METHOD AND APPARATUS [75] Inventor: .lereld L. Underwood, Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Houston Chronical Publishing Company, Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 25, 1972 [21] -Appl. No.: 256,988

[52] US. Cl 156/157, 156/250, 156/505,

, 156/509, 156/545 [51] Int. Cl B65h 19/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..156/157, 504, 304,505,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,739,381 12/1929 Wood 156/157 X [4 1 Jan. 22, 1974 3,554,829 l/1971 'Luckett 156/157 Primary ExaminerWilliam A. Powell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pravel, Wilson & Matthews [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for splicing the leading end of a rotating replacement roll to the moving web of an expiring supply roll of sheet material including a main tab member adhesively attached to the underlying layer of said replacement roll and having spaced portions adhesively attached to the leading end; and, a reinforcing tab adhe ad s w hsl en bstan iallxh tween the spaced portions whereby, upon the application of adhesive and upon the adhesive engagement of the leading end with the moving web, the leading end is torn away from attachment with the main tab member.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WEB SPLICING METHOD AND APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is the supplying .of a continuous web of material such as newsprint.

One of the most vital links in a newspaper printing operation is the providing of a continuous web of newsprint torthe printing presses. The supplying of a continuous web of newsprint is provided by splicing a rotating replacement roll to the moving web of an expiring supply roll of newsprint in a manner that is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,198,452 to Buettel.

One of the greatest difficulties encountered in supplying a continuous roll of newsprint according to this method is in the consistent splicing of the leading end of the replacement roll to the moving web of the supply roll. The leading end of the replacement roll is first covered with an adhesive and then the moving web of the supply roll is pressed against the leading end, which is traveling at approximately the same speed as the moving web, so that the web of the replacement roll is substituted for the supply roll. Unfortunately, the splice is very difficult to accomplish consistently and occasionally, the leading end of the replacement roll separates from the moving web thereby causing a tremendous loss in printing time. Attention has been directed to this problem for many years, but insofar as known, there does not presently exist an apparatus or method for splicing the replacement roll to the moving web with great consistency.

Some examples of patents issued on devices directed to this problem are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,231,949; 3,138,476; 2,646,938; and 2,553,928.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for splicing the leading end of a rotating replacement roll to the moving web of an expiring supply roll of newsprint or other similar sheet material. The apparatus of this invention includes a main tab member adhesively attached to the underlying layer of the replacement roll and includes spaced portions adhesivelyattached to the leading end of the replacement roll. A reinforcing tab member is adhesively attached to the leading end of the replacement roll between the spaced portions whereby, uponthe application of adhesive to the leading end and upon the adhesive engagement of the leading end with the moving web, the leading end is torn away from attachment with the main tab member so that the replacement roll becomes spliced with the moving web of the expiring supply roll.

In accordance with this invention, adhesive is applied to portions of the leading end of the replacement roll and to the reinforcing tab attached to the leading end so that both the leading end and the reinforcing tab are adhesively attached to the moving web when the web is pressed against the replacement roll.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the method for splicing the leading end of the replacement roll to the'moving web of the supply roll includes the steps of adhesively attaching a main tab having spaced portions to the underlying layer and to the leading end of the replacement roll; adhesively attaching a reinforcing tab to the leading end between the spaced portions; applying adhesive to the leading end and to the reinforcing tab and rotating the replacement roll to substantially the speed of the moving web; and, pressing the moving web against the rotating replacement roll whereby the leading end is adhesively attached to the moving web and is torn away from attachment to the main tab member so that the replacement roll is spliced with the moving web.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a newsprint supply mechanism for use with the paster tab apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the paster tab apparatus of the preferred embodiment of this invention adhesively attached to the leading end and underlying layer of the replacement roll;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with portions of the leading end of the replacement roll torn away to form a converging portion or V; and,

FIG. 4 is a view of the paster tabs of the preferred embodiment of this invention in position such that the leading end is prepared for adhesive attachment to the moving web of the expiring supply roll.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawing, the letter W generally designates a web supply mechanism for continously supplying a web of newsprint to a printing press (not shown). The web supplying mechanism is generally well known in the art and basically includes a stand 10 having a spider 11 mounted for rotation thereon about a shaft 12. The spider includes three radially extending arms 11a, 11b and 11c. A supply roll 14 is mounted on the arm 11a for rotation by means of shaft 14a. The supply roll 14 is supplying to the printing press a web 15 of newsprint which is moving in the direction of arrow 16.

A replacement roll 17 is mounted on radially extending arm 11b for rotation with respect thereto by means of shaft 17a. A belt-driven rotating means 18 is positioned to drivingly engage the replacement roll 17 and rotate the replacement roll in a counterclockwise direction 19 such that leading end E of the replacement roll 17 can be adhesively attached to the inside surface 15a of the moving web 15 of the expiring supply roll 14. The replacement roll is driven at such speed that the periphery 17b and in particular the leading end E is traveling at a speed that is substantially the same as the speed of the moving web 15.

A pivotally mounted brush mechanism B, which is conventional in design and known to those in the printing art, is provided for pressing the moving web 15 of the supply roll 14 against the leading end E of the replacement roll 17 such that the leading end E, which is adhesively coated and prepared according to this invention, will adhesively engage the inside surface 15a of the moving web and continue travel therewith such that the replacement roll 17 will replace the supply roll 14. After the leading end B is adhesively attached to the web 15 and moves therewith, a knife schematically illustrated as 19a is utilized to cut the web 15 of the supply roll 14. Thereafter, the spider 111 is rotated clockwise so that the replacement roll 17 is in the position of the supply roll in FIG. 11 and an auxiliary roll 20 is positioned to replace the roll 17 as it expires.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, a paster tab assembly generally designated as T is provided for attaching the leading end E of the replacement roll to underlying layer U of the replacement roll 17 prior to the adhesive attachment of the leading end E to the inside surface a of the moving web 15; thereafter, the paster tab T of this invention provides for the tearing away of the leading end E from attachment with the underlying layer U so that the web of the replacement roll thereafter supplies newsprint to the printing press.

The paster tab T includes a main tab or sticker member 25 that includes a main body portion or base 25a and opposing, spaced portions or wings 25b. Referring to the arrow 26, which designates the longitudinal direction of the web of replacement roll 17, each wing portion 25b of the main tab 25 is formed by an edge 25c substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 26 and by an edge 25d which is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction 26. The underside of the main tab 25 has an adhesive coating such that the main tab can be placed onto the underlying layer U and leading end E of the replacement roll 17 to contain the leading end E substantially against the underlying layer U during rotation of the roll 17. In particular, edge 25e, which connects edges 25d, is positioned a length 1 below the edge 27 of the leading end E such that the base 25a of the tab is adhesively attached to the underlying layer U and the wings 25b are adhesively attached to the outside surface 27a of the leading end E. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, it has been found that it is generally desirable to place the edge 25e approximately one-quarter of an inch below and parallel to the edge 27.

A reinforcing center tab or sticker 30 of paper or similar material has an adhesive coating on the under surface thereof so that the reinforcing tab can be adhesively attached to the leading end E between the wings 25b of the main tab 25. The reinforcing tab 30 is in the general shape of a trapezoid and includes tear edges 30a and a bottom edge 30b. When the reinforcing tab 30 is positioned between the wings 25b, the tear edges 30 are spaced from and are positioned parallel to corresponding edges 25d of the wings 25b. Also, the lower edge 30b of the reinforcing tab 30 is aligned parallel to and approximately one-quarter inch away from the edge 25e of the main tab 25.

The reinforcing tab 30 includes a colored area 31 which can be visually aligned with the corresponding colored area 32 on the main tab 25 such that a user can quickly and easily properly position the reinforcing tab 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the method and apparatus of splicing the leading end E of the replacement roll 17 to the moving web 15 of the expiring supply roll 15 is practiced in the following manner.

Referring to FIG. 4, more than one paster tab T of this invention may be utilized to connect the underlying layer U with the leading end E so that the leading end E will be contained against the underlying layer U during rotation of the replacement roll 17. For example, in FIG. 4, three paster tabs T have been adhesively attached to the underlying layer U and leading end E.

Each paster tab T is attached to the outside surface 27a of the leading end B and to the underlying layer U of the replacement roll 17. The main tab 25 is positioned such that the base portion 25a is adhesively attached to the underlying layer U and the wings 25b are adhesively attached to the outside surface 27a of the leading end E, with the edge 25e disposed approximately one-quarter inch away from and parallel to the edge 27. Thereafter, the reinforcing tab 30 is adhesively attached to the outside surface 27a of the leading end E such that the line or mark 31 is aligned with the line or mark 32. In this position, the tear edges 30a of the reinforcing tab are substantially parallel to the tear edges 25d of the wings 25b of the main tab 25.

After attachment of the paster tabs T the leading end E is torn or otherwise severed to form three tips, converging portions or Vs generally designated by the number 34. This is accomplished in the following manner. The user first tears upwardly a distance of approximately one-quarter of an inch from the tips 25f of the wings 25 in the direction of the arrow 26, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of .the web of replacement roll 17. Then, the user tears along divergent lines 340 and 34b at an angle acute with respect to the longitudinal direction 26 until a side 27b of the leading end E or another tearing line 34a or 34b is reached. The tearing is continued until the edge 27 of the leading end E has the appearance of three connecting Vs as illustrated in FIG. 4. The purpose of forming the tips 34 is to reduce the amount of tearing of the leading end E necessary to separate the leading end E from attachment with the main tab 25 and underlying layer U.

After the paster tabs T are properly adhesively attached and positioned, and the tips 34 have been formed, a paste or adhesive is applied along the torn edges 34a and 34b and over the top surface of the reinforcing tabs 30 as illustrated by the shaded area 36. Adhesive is not applied to areas 35a and 35b adjacent the torn edges-or lines 34b so that the belts of the beltdriven means 18 can freely engage supply roll 17. The belt-driven means 18 then is rotated to rotate the supply'roll 17 to a speed such that the leading end E is traveling atsubstantially the same rate as the moving web 15.

The brush means B is then pivoted against the moving web 15 to cause the inside surface 15a of the moving web to engage the leading end B of the replacement roll 17. Upon the pressing together of the inside surface 15a of the moving web 15 and the leading end E, the adhesive in area 36 causes the leading end E to adhesively attach to the moving web 15. As the moving web 15 continues to move upwardly in the direction of arrow 16, the adhesive covered portion 36 of the leading end E travels therewith and causes the leading end E to be torn away from the wings 25b of the main tabs 25. This tearing action occurs in the area between the tearing edges 30a of the reinforcing tab 30 and the tearing edges 25d of the wings 25b and continues along the tearing edges 25d until intersection with the torn lines 34a and 34b occur. At this point, the leading end E is free to continue movement with the moving web 15 leaving behind the torn away portion adhesively attached to the wings 25b.

By way of explanation and not limitation, it is extremely important to this invention that the reinforcing tabs 30 be adhesively attached to the moving web 15. It is in this manner that the areas of weakness between the reinforcing tab 30 and main tab 25 are provided such that the leading end E tends to tear away from the portions thereof adhesively attached to the wings 25b. Thus, the reinforcing tabs 30 serve to define an area of weakness which is subject to tearing and to provide additional reinforcement to the adhesive connection between the leading end E and the moving web 15 such that the leading end E tears away from the main tab 25.

One of the features of this invention is that both the main tab 25 and the reinforcing tab 30 are adjacently stored on a continuous roll of adhesively inert paper so that the tabs are conveniently available simply by peeling them off the continuous roll.

it is understood that it is within the scope of this invention to use other configurations for the main tab and reinforcing tabs with the principal qualification being that the reinforcing tab does provide reinforcement such that the leading end of the replacement roll does indeed tear away from attachment or connection with the underlying layer thereof and move with the moving web. The adhesive used herein may be of any satisfactory variety and the material used to make the tabs may also be varied as desired. The apparatus and method of this invention provide a fast and efficient, and more importantly, a most consistent way to connect the leading end E of a'supply roll 17 to the moving web 15 of the expiring supply roll 14.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 4

I claim:

1. In a system for continuously supplying newsprint or other material, apparatus for splicing the leading end of a rotating replacement roll to the moving web of supply roll, comprising:

a main tab adhesively attached to the underlying layer of said replacement roll and including spaced portions adhesively attached to said leading end; and

a reinforcing tab adhesively attached to said leading end substantially between said spaced portions whereby, upon the application of adhesive to said leading end and upon adhesive engagement of said leading endwith said moving roll, said leading end is torn away from attachment with said main tab members. a

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said spaced portions of said main tab are adhesively attached to the outside surface of said leading end.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said leading end of said replacement roll is torn away from said spaceportions of said main tab inthe area between said reinforcement tab and said spaced portions. 7 4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of said spaced portions of said main tab member 5 includes tear edges; and I said reinforcing tab member includes tear edges substantially parallel to said main tab tear edges whereby said leading end of said replacement roll is torn away from attachment to said spaced por- 10 tions in the area between said reinforcing tab and main tab tear edges. 5. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said reinforcing tab is adhesively attached to said moving web whereby said reinforcing tab and said end of said replacement roll attached to said reinforcing tab are pulled away from said main tab. 6. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said main and replacement tabs include:

alignment means for quickly and accurately positioning said reinforcing tab substantially between said spaced portions of said main tab.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:

said leading end of said replacement roll includes a portion converging to a tip; and

said main tab is adhesively attached substantially at said tip.

8. In a system-for continuously supplying newsprint or other sheet material, a method for splicing the leading end of a replacement roll to the moving web of a supply roll, comprising:

adhesively attaching a main tab having spaced portions to the underlying layer and to the leading end of said replacement roll;

adhesively attaching a reinforcing tab to said leading end between said spaced portions;

applying adhesive to said leading end and to said reinforcing tab; rotating said leading end of said replacement roll to substantially the speed of said moving web; and pressing said moving web and said end of said replacement roll together whereby said end of said replacement roll is torn away from attachment with said main tab member.

9. The method set forth in claim 8, including:

attaching said reinforcing tab and said spaced portions of said main tab to the outside surface of said leading end of said replacement roll.

10. The method set forth in claim 8, including:

converging said leading end toward said attached main and replacement tabs such that said leading end is more easily torn away from said main tab.

wzg gg NITED STATES fATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION me, 3,787,264 Dated January 22, 1974 Inventor) JERELD L. UNDERWOOD It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent ,1

and that said Letters Patent are hereby con racted as shown below: I

(SEAL "c'or'riinizsbione'r'fo'f"Patents 

1. In a system for continuously supplying newsprint or other material, apparatus for splicing the leading end of a rotating replacement roll to the moving web of supply roll, comprising: a main tab adhesively attached to the underlying layer of said replacement roll and including spaced portions adhesively attached to said leading end; and a reinforcing tab adhesively attached to said leading end substantially between said spaced portions whereby, upon the application of adhesive to said leading end and upon adhesive engagement of said leading end with said moving roll, said leading end is torn away from attachment with said main tab members.
 2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said spaced portions of said main tab are adhesively attached to the outside surface of said leading end.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said leading end of said replacement roll is torn away from said spaceportions of said main tab in the area between said reinforcement tab and said spaced portions.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of said spaced portions of said main tab member includes tear edges; and said reinforcing tab member includes tear edges substantially parallel to said main tab tear edges whereby said leading end of said replacement roll is torn away from attachment to said spaced portions in the area between said reinforcing tab and main tab tear edges.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said reinforcing tab is adhesively attached to said moving web whereby said reinforcing tab and said end of said replacement roll attached to said reinforcing tab are pulled away from said main tab.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said main and replacement tabs include: alignment means for quickly and accurately positioning said reinforcing tab substantially between said spaced portions of said main tab.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 1, including: said leading end of said replacement roll includes a portion converging to a tip; and said main tab is adhesively attached substantially at said tip.
 8. In a system for continuously supplying newsprint or other sheet material, a method for splicing the leading end of a replacement roll to the moving web of a supply roll, comprising: adhesively attaching a main tab having spaced portions to the underlying layer and to the leading end of said replacement roll; adhesively attaching a reinforcing tab to said leading end between said spaced portions; applying adhesive to said leading end and to said reinforcing tab; rotating said leading end of said replacement roll to substantially the speed of said moving web; and pressing said moving web and said end of said replacement roll together whereby said end of said replacement roll is torn away from attachment with said main tab member.
 9. The method set forth in claim 8, including: attaching said reinforcing tab and said spaced portions of said main tab to the outside surface of said leading end of said replacement roll.
 10. The method set forth in claim 8, including: converging said leading end toward said attached main and replacement tabs such that said leading end is more easily torn away from said main tab. 